Rosalyn was 32 when convicted rapist Hill forced his way through the patio door and into her home.

Her husband was in hospital with pneumonia at the time and her 11-year-old daughter was on a sleepover at a friend’s house, leaving her home with her two-year-old daughter.

Rosalyn put her daughter to bed, had a bath, and was settling down at about 9pm to read a book when she saw the landing light flicker off.

Unsuspecting, she got out of bed to check whether a bulb had blown – and Hill’s silhouette loomed into view.

The mum-of-two tried to put on a brave face following the horrifying hour-long attack - even throwing her daughter a birthday party the next day - but gradually her life began to fall apart.

Inspirational: Viewers praised the mum for making the decision to forgive (Image: ITV)

Hill pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey in 2001 and was given three life sentences.

Over the years Rosalyn bravely tried to regain her life and trained as a counsellor, working with charities for crime victims and the Restorative Justice Programme and eventually made the incredible decision to face her attacker.

She told the show: "He was coming up for parole. I've got two girls and I didn't want the cycle to carry on. I knew the only way to get any answers was to look him in the eye."

She continued: "There were quite a few months leading up to the meeting and on the actual day I found out that he tried to hang himself five days previously, [but] everyone decided the meeting should go ahead."

Asked about how she felt about seeing Hill, she said: "I was surprised that I had been so frightened of someone for 15 years and here I was facing him."

Frightened: Rosalyn Boyce said she wanted to regain her life (Image: ITV)

She described the words she told her tormentor, saying: "I'm no longer afraid of him and that I forgive him. I had the opportunity to say everything I wanted to and needed to."

Telling of Hill's reaction, she said: "He found it very difficult to speak. He was asked to tell his version of the events leading up to the attack and when I told him that I forgave him he broke down and cried and said he would rather I punch him in the face than forgive him.

"I think I've carried on as normal (since the attack) but they (family) have said I have changed."

Beast: Sex attacker Lee Hill (Image: PHOTONEWS SERVICES)

Asked about what advice she would give to other victims, Rosalyn said: "If you can, make the choice to regain your life back. Making the decision to be a victim or a survivor, it has to come from you."

Viewers were quick to praise the mum, with one writing on Twitter: "#RosalynBoyce sharing her story on @loosewomen is one of the most powerful things I've ever watched. Huge respect #forgivenessiseverything."

Another said: "What a courageous and strong lady Rosalyn Boyce is...being about to forgive that."